Introduction Statistics involve the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data.
To begin your search for statistics ask yourself two basic questions: What kinds of statistics are you looking for? and what organization might be interested in collecting these statistics? For example, if you are looking for Census data, you would immediately direct yourself to the federal governments statistics page. If you were looking for global agricultural statistics you would use the FAO, a global database, not B.C. Statistics which is a provincial database. By using the correct database your search will be made much more effective and by asking yourself "what organization might be interested in collecting these statistics?" your search has already become much more efficient. In our Wiki you will find a short description of what kind of information you can expect from commonly used and useful statistical databases and tips on how to search them.
What Kinds of Statistics are there?
Federal
Statistics CanadaStatistics Canada is used for national data such as:
Canadian Statistics: Statistics on Canada’s people, economy, and environment.
Trade Exports/ Trade Imports
Census (taken every 5 years
The Statistics Canada website also offers step-by-step instructions on how to search their page effectively, refine searches, and use advanced search tools:Statistics Canada: How to search the site
Industry CanadaIndustry Canada provides and analyses industry data on a number of economic indicators using the latest annual data sources from Statistics Canada.
used for marketing purposes
search statistic by industry
Step 1: From the Industry Canada homepage open the "All topics" drop down menu
Step 2: Open the "Find Statistics by industry" link
Step 3: The Industry Canada Statistics site will open, from here you can search statistics by industry
Canada Post Canada Post provides householder counts, number of houses, farms, apartments, businesses in a province, city, or postal code. This information is commonly used for businesses to target and acquire new customers, for example, by mailing out flyers.
Step 1: From Canada Post's main homepage, click open the business search bar tab.
Step 2: From the Business search bar you can find the Residential and Business counts, and new addresses.
Provinicial
BC Stats
B.C. Statistics includes regional census and community profiles in addition to BC-wide statistics.
International
UN Data
UNdata is an internet-based data service which brings UN statistical databases within easy reach of users through a single entry point.
What kinds of data does UNdata offer? Almost anything. To name a few: Crime; Education; Energy; Environment; Finance; Food and Agriculture; Gender; Health; HIV/AIDS; Human Development; Industry; Indicator Database; Information and Communication Technology; Labour; National Accounts; Population; Refugees; Tourism; Trade.
FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization is a branch of the United Nations which collates and disseminates food and agricultural statistics globally. The division develops methodologies and standards for data collection, and holds regular meetings and workshops to support member countries develop statistical systems.
UNSD
The United Nations Statistic Division is responsible for the collection and dissemination of economic and social statistics and the provision of assistance to the Member States.
Access the site's statistical data via three entry points: The site map; the statistical database link located on the menu bar, or via separate links to statistical information on the main page.
What are the Main Levels of Measurement?
Here are some data measurement terms you may stumble upon while researching statistics:
Nominal: ("Named Data") Numbers assigned do not have any real numerical value. (e.g. member of test group = 1, member of control group = 2) Ordinal: ("Ranked Data") The higher numbers have more of a particular variable than lower numbers, but the distance between the numbers does not represent an equal amount of the variable. (e.g. Letter grades, Likert Scales (strongly agree etc.)) Scale Data: ("Interval Data") The higher numbers not only have more of a particular variable than the lower numbers, but the distance between the numbers does represents equal amounts of the variable. (e.g. Temperature, GDP, Scores on tests)
How to Cite Statistical Information
MLA does not provide specific information on how to cite a statistical table, but use this general format adapted from the rules for citing a work in an anthology, and guidelines for citing electronic materials:
Author. "Title of Entry." Title of Book. Edition. Editor's name(s). Place of Publication: Publisher, Year. Page Range. Medium of Publication.
For additional information and citation reference for other writing styles, visit the website of Statistical Tables Citations
Table of Contents
Introduction
Statistics involve the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data.
To begin your search for statistics ask yourself two basic questions: What kinds of statistics are you looking for? and what organization might be interested in collecting these statistics?
For example, if you are looking for Census data, you would immediately direct yourself to the federal governments statistics page. If you were looking for global agricultural statistics you would use the FAO, a global database, not B.C. Statistics which is a provincial database. By using the correct database your search will be made much more effective and by asking yourself "what organization might be interested in collecting these statistics?" your search has already become much more efficient. In our Wiki you will find a short description of what kind of information you can expect from commonly used and useful statistical databases and tips on how to search them.
What Kinds of Statistics are there?
Federal
Statistics CanadaStatistics Canada is used for national data such as:The Statistics Canada website also offers step-by-step instructions on how to search their page effectively, refine searches, and use advanced search tools:Statistics Canada: How to search the site
Industry CanadaIndustry Canada provides and analyses industry data on a number of economic indicators using the latest annual data sources from Statistics Canada.
- used for marketing purposes
- search statistic by industry
Step 1: From the Industry Canada homepage open the "All topics" drop down menuStep 2: Open the "Find Statistics by industry" link
Step 3: The Industry Canada Statistics site will open, from here you can search statistics by industry
Canada Post
Canada Post provides householder counts, number of houses, farms, apartments, businesses in a province, city, or postal code. This information is commonly used for businesses to target and acquire new customers, for example, by mailing out flyers.
Step 1: From Canada Post's main homepage, click open the business search bar tab.
Step 2: From the Business search bar you can find the Residential and Business counts, and new addresses.
Provinicial
BC Stats
B.C. Statistics includes regional census and community profiles in addition to BC-wide statistics.International
UN Data
UNdata is an internet-based data service which brings UN statistical databases within easy reach of users through a single entry point.What kinds of data does UNdata offer? Almost anything. To name a few: Crime; Education; Energy; Environment; Finance; Food and Agriculture; Gender; Health; HIV/AIDS; Human Development; Industry; Indicator Database; Information and Communication Technology; Labour; National Accounts; Population; Refugees; Tourism; Trade.
FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organization is a branch of the United Nations which collates and disseminates food and agricultural statistics globally. The division develops methodologies and standards for data collection, and holds regular meetings and workshops to support member countries develop statistical systems.UNSD
The United Nations Statistic Division is responsible for the collection and dissemination of economic and social statistics and the provision of assistance to the Member States.Access the site's statistical data via three entry points: The site map; the statistical database link located on the menu bar, or via separate links to statistical information on the main page.
What are the Main Levels of Measurement?
Here are some data measurement terms you may stumble upon while researching statistics:
Nominal: ("Named Data")
Numbers assigned do not have any real numerical value.
(e.g. member of test group = 1, member of control group = 2)
Ordinal: ("Ranked Data")
The higher numbers have more of a particular variable than lower numbers, but the distance between the numbers does not represent an equal amount of the variable.
(e.g. Letter grades, Likert Scales (strongly agree etc.))
Scale Data: ("Interval Data")
The higher numbers not only have more of a particular variable than the lower numbers, but the distance between the numbers does represents equal amounts of the variable.
(e.g. Temperature, GDP, Scores on tests)
How to Cite Statistical Information
MLA does not provide specific information on how to cite a statistical table, but use this general format adapted from the rules for citing a work in an anthology, and guidelines for citing electronic materials:
Author. "Title of Entry." Title of Book. Edition. Editor's name(s). Place of Publication: Publisher, Year. Page Range. Medium of Publication.
For additional information and citation reference for other writing styles, visit the website of Statistical Tables Citations
External Links and Additional Resources
B.C. Statistics Navigation HelpStatistics Canada Finding Data Guide
Statistics Canada How to Read and Use Data
Statistics Canada Search Brochure